U.S. patent application number 15/462400 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for electronic temperature control system for a grill.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Reischmann, Phillip Williams. Invention is credited to Michael Reischmann, Phillip Williams.
Application Number | 20180116452 15/462400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62019777 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180116452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reischmann; Michael ; et
al. |
May 3, 2018 |
Electronic Temperature Control System For A Grill
Abstract
A grill having a control system that monitors the temperature of
the grill grate and adjusts heat output to the grill according to a
temperature selected by the user. The grill grate includes channels
on the rear face thereof, one channel contains the electrically
powered heat source and the other channel contains the temperature
sensor. A drip pan is located below the grill grate. The grill
grate is removable from the grill and removable from the two
channels for cleaning. Multiple zones are provided, each with a
controller that allows the user to set the desired temperature of
the grill grate/grilling surface.
Inventors: |
Reischmann; Michael;
(Eustis, FL) ; Williams; Phillip; (Clinton,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Reischmann; Michael
Williams; Phillip |
Eustis
Clinton |
FL
CT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62019777 |
Appl. No.: |
15/462400 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62415063 |
Oct 31, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 37/0786 20130101;
A47J 37/0704 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/07 20060101
A47J037/07 |
Claims
1. A grill comprising: a selector; a controller coupled to said
selector such that an input received from said selector is
indicative of a selected temperature; a heat source coupled to said
controller wherein said controller is configured to adjust heat
output from said heat source; a cooking element having a cooking
surface with holes therein to allow matter to pass there through
during cooking; a temperature sensor in contact with the cooking
element and wherein said cooking element is removable with respect
to the temperature sensor; said controller receiving a temperature
reading from said temperature sensor and adjusting the heat output
of said heat source to maintain said cooking element at
approximately the selected temperature; a perimeter of a grill area
of the grill defined by an edge such that said cooking element is
adjacent to said edge and, said temperature sensor extends from
said edge in a direction inwards with respect to the perimeter such
that said cooking element is in contact with said temperature
sensor in a location within said edge.
2. The grill of claim 1 further comprising: a first channel
positioned on a rear face of the cooking element, opposite the
cooking surface, said first channel including a first set of at
least two first sidewalls such that said heat source is configured
to fit within and is removable from said first channel; a second
channel positioned on the rear face of the cooking element,
opposite the cooking surface, said second channel including a
second set of at least two first sidewalls such that said
temperature sensor is configured to fit within and is removable
from said second channel.
3. The grill of claim 1 further comprising: a channel positioned on
a rear face of the cooking element, opposite the cooking surface,
said channel including at least two sidewalls such that said
temperature sensor is configured to fit between said at least two
sidewalls and is removable therefrom.
4. The grill of claim 2 wherein the second set of at least two
sidewalls defining said second channel and extend from the one of
said at least two first sidewalls towards an edge of the cooking
element, said second set of at least two sidewalls contact and
extend directly from the one of said first set of at least two
sidewalls.
5. The grill of claim 3 wherein said first channel includes two
substantially straight sections joined by a curved section, said
second channel located adjacent to the curved section.
6. The grill of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor is a
resistance thermal detector (RTD) embedded in a housing, the
housing directly in contact with said cooking element.
7. The grill of claim 1 wherein the heat source is an electrically
powered heating element.
8. The grill of claim 1 wherein said selector configured to receive
a second input indicative of a desired cooking time wherein when
said desired cooking time expires, said heat source is turned
off.
9. The grill of claim 1 wherein said cooking element includes a
channel sized to receive said temperature sensor therein.
10. The grill of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensor includes a
housing which contacts a channel of the cooking element sized to
receive said temperature sensor therein.
11. The grill of claim 1 wherein said cooking element is a grill
grate and a drip pan is located below said cooking element.
12. The grill of claim 1 wherein said cooking element is removable
from both said temperature sensor and said heat source.
13. The grill of claim 1 wherein said selector further includes a
display which is configured to display said selected
temperature.
14. The grill of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured
adjust a heat output when a reduction in temperature of the cooking
element is detected.
15.-22. (canceled)
23. The grill of claim 1 wherein a surface of the cooking element
facing opposite to and being directly below the cooking surface is
in contact with the temperature sensor.
24. A grill comprising: a selector; a cooking element having a
cooking surface with holes therein to allow matter to pass there
through during cooking; a controller coupled to said selector such
that an input received from said selector is indicative of a
selected temperature for the cooking surface; an electric heat
source coupled to said controller wherein said controller is
configured to adjust heat output from said heat source to maintain
the cooking surface at approximately the selected temperature; a
temperature sensor contained in a housing, the housing in direct
contact with the cooking element opposite to and below the cooking
surface and wherein said cooking element is removable with respect
to the temperature sensor and said electric heat source; said
controller receiving a temperature reading from said temperature
sensor and adjusting the heat output of said heat source to
maintain said cooking element at approximately the selected
temperature; the electric heat source and the temperature sensor
positioned below the cooking element at a location without holes
such that the matter passing through the holes is inhibited from
contact with the electric heat source and the temperature sensor.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The following relates to a temperature measurement and
control system for an electric grill. More particularly, the
following relates to a grill surface temperature controller which
allows the user to set their desired grill surface temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gas and electric grills are often provided with control
knobs that allow the user to choose between high and low settings
in terms of power or heat. The resulting temperature of the grill
surface although impacted by the knob settings is not readily
predictable because environmental conditions will impact various
heat transfer rates. For example, if the outside temperature is 50
degrees or 90 degrees, the rate of heat loss by the grill will
change. In addition, if the grill lid is open or shut, the knob
settings will need to be adjusted to maintain the same grill
surface temperature.
[0003] However, the actual temperature of the grilling surface is
not what usually drives the control settings. Rather, the grill lid
will oftentimes have a temperature gauge to measure the air
temperature inside the grill. Although it may be useful in certain
scenarios to know the air temperature inside the grill, it is
nearly impossible for the user to reliably predict the temperature
of the grilling surface. In addition, the readings of the air
temperature gauge are not used to control the knobs using automatic
controllers. Rather, the user must set the knobs and wait to see
where the air temperature lands, rather than being able to set the
desired temperature and have a controller which adjusts the
power/gas output.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a temperature controller for a grill which holds the grill
surface at a temperature set by the user.
[0005] It is further desirable to enable reading of the temperature
of the surface while allowing the surface to easily be removed for
cleaning.
[0006] These and other objects are achieved by providing a grill
including a selector and a controller coupled to the selector such
that an input received from the selector is indicative of a desired
temperature. A heat source is coupled to the controller and the
controller is configured to adjust heat output from the heat
source. A cooking element has a cooking surface and a temperature
sensor is in contact with the cooking element. The cooking element
is removable with respect to the temperature sensor. The controller
receives a temperature reading from said temperature sensor and
adjusts the heat output of the heat source to maintain the cooking
element at the desired temperature.
[0007] In one aspect the temperature sensor is a resistance thermal
detector (RTD) embedded in a housing, the housing directly in
contact with said cooking surface. In other aspects the heat source
is electrical. In other aspects the selector is configured to
receive a second input indicative of a desired cooking time and
when the desired cooking time expires, the heat source is turned
off.
[0008] In other aspects, the cooking element includes a channel
sized to receive said temperature sensor therein. In yet other
aspects the temperature sensor includes a housing which contacts a
channel of the cooking element sized to receive the temperature
sensor therein. In one aspect the cooking element is a grill grate.
In yet another aspect the cooking element is a griddle. In still
other aspects the cooking element is removable from both the
temperature sensor and the heat source.
[0009] In another aspect a grill is provided and includes a
selector and a controller coupled to the selector such that an
input received from the selector is indicative of a selected
temperature. A heat source is coupled to the controller and the
controller is configured to adjust a heat output from the heat
source. A cooking element has a cooking surface with holes therein
to allow matter to pass there through during cooking. A temperature
sensor is in contact with the cooking element and the cooking
element is removable with respect to the temperature sensor. The
controller receives a temperature reading from the temperature
sensor and adjusts the heat output of the heat source to maintain
the cooking element at approximately the selected temperature.
[0010] In some aspects a first channel is positioned on a rear face
of the cooking element, opposite the cooking surface. The first
channel includes a first set of at least two first sidewalls such
that the heat source is configured to fit within and is removable
from the first channel. In other aspects a second channel extends
from an outer face of one of the first set of two sidewalls towards
an edge of the cooking element. In other aspects, the grill
includes a second set two sidewalls defining the second channel and
extending from one of the two first sidewalls towards an edge of
the cooking element. The second set of two sidewalls contacts and
extends directly the one of the first set of two sidewalls. In
other aspects the first channel includes two substantially straight
sections joined by a curved section, with the second channel
located adjacent to the curved section.
[0011] In some aspects the temperature sensor is a resistance
thermal detector (RTD) embedded in a housing, the housing directly
in contact with the cooking element. In some aspects, the heat
source is an electrically powered heating element. In other
aspects, the selector is configured to receive a second input
indicative of a desired cooking time such that when the desired
cooking time expires, the heat source is turned off. In some
aspects, the cooking element includes a channel sized to receive
the temperature sensor therein. In other aspects a temperature
sensor includes a housing which contacts the channel of the cooking
element. In other aspects the cooking element is a grill grate and
a drip pan is located below the cooking element. In one aspect, the
cooking element is removable from both the temperature sensor and
the heat source. In other aspects, the selector includes a display
which is configured to display the selected temperature. In yet
other aspects, the controller is configured to adjust a heat output
when a reduction in temperature of the cooking element is
detected.
[0012] In yet other aspects, a grill grate is provided, the grill
grate being metallic and having a rectilinear body with a length
and a width. A cooking surface is located on a first face of the
rectilinear body. A first channel is positioned on a rear face of
the rectilinear body, the channel including at least two
substantially straight sections connected by a curved section. A
second channel is positioned on the rear face, the second channel
extends from an edge of the rectilinear body and towards the first
channel. The second channel terminates at a wall which separates
the first and second channels, the wall being positioned adjacent
to the curved section. In some aspects, the first channel is
defined by a first set two sidewalls. In some aspects, the second
channel is defined by a second set of two sidewalls which extend
from one of the sidewalls of the first set two sidewalls.
[0013] In other aspects a method of controlling a grill surface
temperature is provided and includes the steps of: providing a
grill having a cooking element and a heat source configured to heat
the cooking element; providing a controller configured to control a
heat output of the heat source based on a selected temperature
received at a selector; controlling the heat output of the heat
source via the controller based on the selected temperature and a
temperature reading, the temperature reading from a temperature
sensor in communication with the controller wherein the temperature
sensor is directly in contact with the cooking element.
[0014] In some aspects, the temperature sensor is positioned within
a channel on a rear face of the cooking element and the cooking
element is removable from the temperature sensor. In some aspects
the cooking element has holes therein and a part of the cooking
element aligning with the channel is configured without holes. In
other aspects the heat source is positioned between two walls
extending from the cooking element, with a second part of the
cooking element between the two walls configured without holes
therein such that matter passing through the plurality of holes
does not contact the heat source. In other aspects the temperature
sensor includes a housing directly in contact with the cooking
element.
[0015] Other objects and features will become apparent from
considering the below description and the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the grill and controller according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing for the temperature sensor
of FIG. 1
[0018] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a housing for the temperature
sensor of FIG. 1
[0019] FIG. 4 is a view from underneath the grilling surface shown
on the grill of FIG. 1
[0020] FIG. 5 is a detail view of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective partial cutaway view of the grill of
FIG. 1
[0022] FIG. 7 is a detail view of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views.
The following examples are presented to further illustrate and
explain the present invention and should not be taken as limiting
in any regard.
[0024] Disclosed herein is a touch control grill that allows the
user to program the temperature of the grilling surface. Using the
disclosed software with a custom algorithm the grill gives the user
the ability to select the temperature desired to grill whatever
type of foods they desire. For example, 350.degree. F. for chicken,
400.degree. F. for fish, 500.degree. F. for steak
[0025] To actuate the grill control, the user touches the master
power icon 1 on the glass panel for 250 milliseconds (as an
example). The user then selects the grilling zone they desire to
use and then touch the power icon to activate the appropriate zone
2. The user now has the ability to set the power level (1-16) or
the temperature of the grilling surface (150.degree. F.-550.degree.
F.). The power levels and temperature ranges are exemplary as would
be understood by one of skill in the art and levels and ranges
outside these values are contemplated, depending on the particular
parameters required.
[0026] To set the power level the user touches the + icon 3 on the
glass panel for the appropriate grilling zone. Holding the finger
on the + icon will cause the power level to increase until it
reaches the maximum power level of 16. Another method of increasing
the power level is to place a finger on the graduated arc 4 from LO
and sweep it along the path of the arc stopping at the level
desired.
[0027] To set the temperature of the grilling surface the user
touches the icon 5 and the display changes from power to
temperature with 150.degree. flashing in the display window 6. The
user now increases the temperature desired by touching the + icon 3
or by running their finger around the graduated arc 4. The
temperature selected will continue to flash 6 until the grilling
zone has reached the selected temperature. The user has the ability
to switch from .degree. F. to .degree. C. by touching the .degree.
F./.degree. C. icon 7.
[0028] Around the outside of the graduated arc are 16 LED's 8 that
show the power level and or temperature level selected for the
grilling zone.
[0029] Another feature is the ability to set a timer for the
grilling process. Setting the temperature for grilling your food
and then the time to grill is critical for properly grilled meats,
fish and vegetables. Once the user has selected the temperature or
power setting of the grilling zone and the temperature has been
reached the food to be grilled is placed on the grilling zone. The
user then touches the clock face icon 9. The display area 6
switches from displaying the temperature/power to displaying a
flashing 1 to indicate one minute. The user must now press the +
icon 3 to increase the amount of time desired and then touch the
clock face icon 9 again. This starts the cooking timer function.
The display area 6 now shows the amount of time left on the clock
along with .degree. F. to indicate that the grilling zone is
powered on in the temperature mode. Once the cooking timer has
reached zero the power to the grilling zone will be turned off and
the clock will flash a zero and give an audible tone, once every
five seconds for 30 seconds.
[0030] Along with the cooking timer is the ability to set clock
timer using the zone that is not being used for grilling. The same
steps outlined above are used to set the clock timer from 1-960
minutes. When the clock timer reaches zero it will flash a zero and
give a dual audible tone, once every 10 seconds for 3 minutes.
[0031] Two safety features built-in to the control are the hot
light indicator which indicates the grilling zone is hot to the
touch and is represented by 4 wavy lines in the display area. The
other is the ability to lock the control system so children can't
turn on the grill. The lock feature is activated by placing a
finger on the key icon 10 for three seconds. A LED will illuminate
indicating the control is locked. To unlock you place a finger on
the open padlock icon 11 for three seconds and the control will be
unlocked. While in the locked mode the grilling zones, if activated
when the control was placed in the lock mode, heat settings or
timer functions cannot be altered they can only be turned off.
[0032] The ability to select the temperature of the grilling zone
is facilitated by the use of a resistance temperature detector or
RTD in direct contact with each grilling surface, grate or griddle.
This device, in conjunction with the software, reads the
temperature of the grilling surface and transfers that data to the
display area of the control panel 6. The grilling surface transmits
heat efficiently enough so that reading the temperature in one
location provides an accurate indication of the entire grilling
surface.
[0033] For example, the RTD sensor changes resistance as
temperature increases. Thus, a relationship between resistance
measured and the temperature can be determined. Further, the
cooking element or grill grate/griddle is preferably made of a
highly conductive material such as cast aluminum or another
suitable material. This ensures that heat rapidly transfers and
that the RTD sensor accurately conveys temperature of the grilling
surface to the controller.
[0034] The controller after receiving the selected temperature will
turn the grill power on to heat up the cooking element. The
software is programmed to maintain temperature within a threshold
range of the desired temperature and to efficiently approach the
desired temperature. For example, when the user first turns the
grill on and selects 400 degrees, the controller may start off at
high power in order to rapidly approach the desired temperature. As
the temperature approaches 350 degrees (for example), the power may
be turned down to slow the rate to temperature increase and again,
the power may be decreased again as 375 is passed. The rate of
power decrease may be a linear or other function as related to
temperature or rate of change of temperature. Therefore, as 400
degrees is reached, the power level will be held at a level
sufficient to maintain the 400 degree temperature. An alert may
sound or flash to indicate the desired temperature is reached. At
this point, the user may open the grill top and place the meat on
the grill. The threshold can be based on a degree range or
percentage deviation, for example +/-5-10 degrees or +/-1-5%
relative to the set temperature. Other threshold ranges are
contemplated. The controller may also operate to activate heat by
turning power on and off in cycles. For example, power may be
turned on for a cold grill and as the bottom of the threshold is
reached in terms of sensed temperature of the grill grate, the
power would turn off and on for a time period as set by the
controller to approach and/or maintain the desired temperature. The
power to the grill may also be adjusted by regulation of
voltage/current across the heating element to vary the power
thereof or the power may be turned on/off to change the temperature
of the grilling surface based upon the temperature as determined by
the sensor.
[0035] Since the cooking element is highly conductive, the drop in
temperature due to placing of cold meat on the grill will be
rapidly sensed and the grill power will be increased/turned on. In
other aspects, when the grill lid is left open, the grill power is
also likely to increase or be turned on because the rate of heat
transfer from the cooking element to the environment is increased
due the grill lid being open.
[0036] The RTD includes a housing that is installed below the
cooking element. The cooking element is removable to enable
cleaning or to enable the user to change the type of cooking
element used such as a grill v. griddle selection or combination of
these. The heat source as shown is an electrical power source that
forms a ribbon pattern within the grill. Corresponding grooves or
channels are positioned in the bottom of the cooking element such
that the heat source is positioned within the grooves/channels when
the grill is assembled. The RTD housing extends from the back of
the grill and is generally level with the heat source. A channel is
located in the cooking element and when installed, the RTD housing
contacts the underside of the cooking element in the channel.
Depending on the number of zones provided, there will be a RTD for
each zone or possibly multiple RTDs for a single zone. For example,
the ribbon arrangement of the heat source includes two straight and
parallel elements extending from the grill which lay across the
grill, curve around and have two parallel sections extending back
towards the back of the grill which meet at a curved portion spaced
away from the back of the grill. The RTD housing is positioned in
the space between the back of the grill and the curved portion
where the two parallel sections meet. In the embodiment shown, the
RTD housing extends about 1-1.5'' from the back of the grill 56 and
a 0.5-1'' gap exists between the heat source and the RTD housing.
In addition, the channel that receives the RTD housing has an end
wall 36 that separates the RTD housing from the heat source when
the cooking element is installed. This end wall 36 may be the same
wall that defines the channel 32 for the heat source. As can be
seen, the holes in the grill are located between our outside of the
channel 32/34 so that grease or other matter falling through the
holes into the drip pan 52 do not directly contact the temperature
sensor or the heating element. Particularly, if the grease/matter
falling through the holes were to contact the heating element,
smoking would be expected, thus the configuration shown reduces
such a possibility. It is understood that different types of
sensors other than an RTD can be used.
[0037] The diagram of FIG. 1 shows the grill 100 with heating
element 30 below the cooking element 22. Sensor housing 20 is in
contact with the cooking element 22 and separated from the heating
element or heat source. The grill is contained in a housing 24
which has lid that can open and shut. Controller 26 includes the
selectors and dials previously described. As can be seen, the grill
is electrically powered, but it is contemplated that other heat
sources may be used. FIGS. 2 and 3 show views of the housing for
the sensor housing 20. The dimensions are exemplary and not
limiting. Referring to FIGS. 4-7, the bottom of the cooking element
22 includes channels therein. A channel 32 receives the electrical
heat source/coil 30 therein and this allows the cooking element 22
to be removed from the grill for cleaning. Housing 20 contains the
sensor and has a corresponding channel 34. Channels 32 and 34 are
separated by wall 36 so that the heat source 30 is not directly in
contact with the housing 20 in a way that might skew surface
temperature readings. In one embodiment, the channel is U shaped
such that the heat source 30 and the housing 20 can be inserted
into their respective channel 32/34 when the cooking element 22 is
placed into the grill.
[0038] The RTD and its housing are shown in FIGS. 2-3. As can be
seen there the cylindrical part 40 has a diameter D1 and this fits
into the corresponding channel. Cylindrical part 42 has a larger
diameter D2 and part 44 may be threaded to allow for the RTD and
its housing to be securely affixed to the grill body with a nut and
associated sensor wiring may exit the housing at the threaded end
and connect to the controller. The length L1 of the cylindrical
part 40 that sits in the channel accounts for the majority of the
overall length L. The end 48 includes a tapered section 46.
[0039] As can be seen in FIG. 4, two heating elements or heat
sources 30 are shown. Each of these is connected to a separate one
of the controllers shown in FIG. 1, which enables the grill to be
controlled in two zones. Electrical contacts 60/58 enable the heat
source 30 to connect electrically. It is understood that more or
fewer zones could be provided as would be apparent to those skilled
in the art.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, the grill 100 is shown with a lid 50
the cooking element 22 and the drip pan 52 below the cooking
element 22. The lid 50 is connected to the grill base 64 via hinges
54. As described previously, the heat source 30 and sensor 20 fit
into the rear channel of the cooking element 22. The cooking
element 22 can be removed for cleaning. To make removal easier,
holes 62 are provided at an edge of the cooking element 22.
[0041] Although the invention has been described with reference to
a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are
not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and
indeed many other modifications and variations will be
ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
* * * * *